Even more desperate and disheartened than Zhuang Shiyang was Madam Zhou. Her face now bore a crazed expression as she stared intently at Elder Madam Zhou, with hatred in her eyes that made even Elder Madam Zhou feel somewhat alarmed. Elder Madam Zhou patted Madam Zhou’s hand and said, “Don’t act rashly. There’s still room for maneuver in this matter. Don’t lose your rationality.” Upon hearing these words, Madam Zhou gradually calmed down.

The happiest of all was Zhuang Yushan. Though she wasn’t entirely clear about how everything had transpired, Wei Rufeng’s final words sounded to her like a promise of responsibility. She couldn’t help feeling somewhat smug, thinking about the intimate relationship she now shared with Wei Rufeng. She felt overwhelmed with sweetness, wishing she could marry into the Wei Prince Manor immediately and see her beloved every day. Lost in these thoughts, she forgot about Li Jiaqi who had been glaring at her all along.

Li Jiaqi let out a cold snort: “Don’t think you can just soar up and become a phoenix. Even if Brother Wei wants you, you can only be a concubine without status! Her Majesty the Empress Dowager will certainly dislike you, you cheap woman!” With that, she left.

Han Yan suddenly understood everything. No wonder Li Jiaqi had opposed her at every turn—she had feelings for Wei Rufeng. But when Han Yan first met Wei Rufeng, Li Jiaqi had already expressed her dislike. Could Li Jiaqi have known beforehand that she would become the Crown Princess? That didn’t make sense. Even Han Yan herself only knew of her connection to Wei Rufeng because of her marriage in her previous life—how could Li Jiaqi have known?

As most people had left, Fu Yunxi remained behind. Han Yan felt somewhat embarrassed—this person had always known her intentions and was one of the few who understood the situation’s origin. She walked over, intending to exchange some pleasantries. Unexpectedly, Fu Yunxi extended his hand, holding a plum blossom thorn—the very one Han Yan had lost during her fight with the black-clothed person.

Fu Yunxi had his back turned to Madam Zhou and the others, so from their perspective, it appeared as though Prince Xuanqing was merely exchanging farewell courtesies with Han Yan. However, Han Yan heard Fu Yunxi’s lowered voice above her head: “If you encounter any difficulties, come directly to Prince Xuanqing’s Manor to find me.”

Han Yan took the plum blossom thorn from Fu Yunxi’s hand and tucked it into her sleeve, looking at him with a smile: “Your Highness is truly righteous, but if I face any difficulties, I’ll resolve them myself.”

Fu Yunxi pressed his lips together, his typically stern face showing a trace of gentleness as he said quietly, “Don’t be stubborn.”

Han Yan turned her head away, uncomfortable with others’ kindness, especially from someone who had helped her so many times.

As Fu Yunxi turned to leave with his hands behind his back, his final words slipped into Han Yan’s ears, dropping like a small stone into her heart: “What do you think about how that person became Wei Rufeng?”

Han Yan was stunned for a moment. At first, she thought Fu Yunxi was responsible, but upon further reflection, Fu Yunxi had been with her the whole time and didn’t seem like someone who would do such a thing. Wei Rufeng was, after all, a Crown Prince—how could anyone joke around with his identity so casually? Could Wei Rufeng himself be responsible? Han Yan’s heart chilled at the thought. She had forgotten about this aspect—if that were the case, Wei Rufeng was truly despicable.

In the main hall of the Zhuang Manor, Zhuang Shiyang sat in a huangli wood chair, with the Wei Prince’s father and son on the other side. Madam Zhou and Elder Madam Zhou sat in the lower seats, while Zhuang Yushan stood before Madam Zhou, head lowered, not daring to look at anyone’s expression.

After a long while, Prince Wei finally spoke: “Official Zhuang, how should we handle this matter now?”

Zhuang Shiyang coughed awkwardly. The other party was from the Wei Prince Manor, while he was merely a fifth-rank official—he had no say in the matter. Seeing Wei Rufeng’s silence, he tentatively asked, “Does the Crown Prince have any thoughts?”

Wei Rufeng’s mind was in chaos. He wanted Zhuang Han Yan, not Zhuang Yushan, but now that everyone had witnessed that scene between him and Zhuang Yushan, he had no choice but to take responsibility. Otherwise, he would be labeled as someone who took advantage of a court official’s daughter. His tone was somewhat hostile as he replied, “This Crown Prince has no particular thoughts.”

Elder Madam Zhou took a sip of tea and smiled, “What happened today was unexpected for all of us. We must find the best solution that works for everyone. Yushan is my dear niece, and I’m not being biased, but for a young woman, reputation is paramount. Now that this has happened, Yushan’s reputation is at stake. Surely the Crown Prince… bears some responsibility?”

Throughout the conversation, neither side mentioned why today’s events had occurred—why Zhuang Yushan was in the garden house, why Wei Rufeng was there. Perhaps they didn’t speak of it because everyone understood, and bringing it up would only cause more embarrassment. Better to let both sides save face.

Wei Rufeng let out a cold laugh: “Why was Second Miss Zhuang in that place? Surely this Crown Prince didn’t force her there. How is it that Madam Zhou’s words make it seem as though all fault lies with this Crown Prince?”

The previously silent Zhuang Yushan raised her head, her eyes brimming with tears, appearing deeply hurt and embarrassed by Wei Rufeng’s words: “How can Your Highness say such things… Yushan has lost her virtue to you… that’s a fact. How can it be Yushan’s fault alone?”

Wei Rufeng looked at Zhuang Yushan’s feigned hurt expression, feeling increasingly annoyed. He found this woman false and affected, and remembering Han Yan’s cold treatment of him only fueled his resentment. He couldn’t help but say, “Didn’t you climb into that bed just to enter the Wei Prince Manor?”

Even someone as slow as Zhuang Yushan could hear the disdain in Wei Rufeng’s tone. If he treated her this way before she even entered the Wei Prince Manor, wouldn’t she quickly fall out of favor once she did?

Madam Zhou, feeling heartbroken for Zhuang Yushan and angry at Wei Rufeng’s attitude, finally said, “Crown Prince Wei should give Yushan a proper resolution. You can’t let our Yushan live the rest of her life in shame.”

Zhuang Shiyang shot an annoyed glance at Madam Zhou—this woman was more trouble than help. How could she speak to Wei Rufeng in such a tone? He smiled ingratiatingly at Prince Wei: “My Lord, please don’t mind her. Women have long hair but short wisdom.”

Prince Wei smiled dismissively and said, “It’s fine. But in Madam’s opinion, how should this matter be resolved?”

Elder Madam Zhou patted Madam Zhou’s hand and smiled, “Given Yushan’s status, we dare not hope for more, but surely becoming one of the Crown Prince’s concubines wouldn’t be too difficult?” She looked lovingly at Zhuang Yushan: “Yushan is a good girl, clever with her hands and extremely filial and considerate. The Crown Prince currently has no one close by his side—with Yushan there, things would be easier for the Crown Prince.”

“Aunt…” Hearing Elder Madam Zhou speak of her this way, Zhuang Yushan lowered her head shyly, her cheeks flushing red. Though somewhat disappointed at the prospect of being a concubine, the thought of becoming that man’s woman filled her heart with sweetness.

Prince Wei pondered for a moment before speaking to Wei Rufeng: “Rufeng, if it’s as a concubine, it should be fine…”

Though he had not yet taken a primary wife, it wasn’t unheard of among noble families in the capital to take concubines before marrying the primary wife. Wei Rufeng glanced at Zhuang Yushan—she was indeed beautiful. However, taking her home like this didn’t sit right with him.